8GadgetPack

There are two applications you can use to install desktop gadgets – we prefer 8GadgetPack. It has an easier installation process and includes more gadgets. Just download 8GadgetPack and run the installer. After running the installer, you’ll see the familiar Windows Sidebar containing gadgets. You can drag and drop the gadgets onto your desktop if you prefer them there.

You can also right-click the sidebar and select Close Sidebar if you want to get rid of that sidebar and only use gadgets on your desktop.

You’ll also see the familiar Gadgets and Show desktop gadgets options when you right-click on your desktop, so you can close the gadgets and then get them back easily. It works just like it did on previous versions of Windows that included support for gadgets.

There are shortcuts for safely removing drives, accessing your recycle bin, and launching apps. 8GadgetPack currently comes with 45 gadgets in all.

Gadgetarian

We also tried Gadgetarian, just to make sure we were recommending you the best Windows 8 gadget solution. Gadgetarian works, too – like 8GadgetPack, it’s just installing the same gadget files that Microsoft removed from Windows 8.

However, Gadgetarian has no advantages over 8GadgetPack, only disadvantages. Instead of providing an easy graphical installer, you have to copy files to your C:\Windows\System32 folder and run an install script as administrator. Once it’s installed, you’ll only have 14 gadgets to play with – a far cry from the 45 included with 8GadgetPack.

If you were curious about alternatives, consider your curiosity sated – 8GadgetPack is the best.

Getting More Gadgets

Note that you can no longer download gadgets from Microsoft’s website, so you’ll have to use the the ones that come with the gadget program, download gadgets from third-party websites, or install gadgets you have backed up. Be aware that gadgets are just like other programs, so you should only download and run gadgets from trusted sources or your computer could be infected with malware.

The failure of Gif creators to enable a single Gif execution...the failure of W7 to enable the storage and display of Gifs...the failure of the Windows Sidebar Gadget to incorporate a Gif within the Sidebar Gadget's slideshow...the failure of W7's Sidebar Gadget to display pics (let alone, Gifs) within a second between each other (or less)...has ended my continued use of Microsoft...period! I'm now moving onto the Purism Librem 15 laptop...wherewith, the dictates of Microsoft, don't matter!

I prefer to use the “Gadgets Revived” package because it has intergation
with Control Panel and search. No one of mentioned installers provide
such option. Also, that project has very huge gadgets gallery. Gadgets
Revived: http://gadgetsrevived.com/

This was one of the first things I did when I installed Win8! My favorite gadgets are the Network Monitor II and the All CPU Meter. I was really glad that I kept a backup copy of my 2nd favorite, the Weather Channel gadget! Because it's nowhere to be found anymore! Great article!

I use gadgets all the time to monitor everything on my PC. Nothing beats the convenience of moving your mouse to the corner of your screen and taking a peek at everything that's happening.
While looking for nice gadgets, which showed enough information within a small space, nothing beats this site:http://www.orbmu2k.de/
These are the best gadgets I have found to watch your CPU, GPU, memory, battery, etc.
I just thought that more people need to know about these little-known gadgets.

Win 8 is more like Win 7 on steroids. Everything you loved about 7 is there and improved on top of the addition of allot of new desktop features like File History, new file management, better dual monitor support, more keyboard shortcuts, faster more efficient use of resources, new backup and recovery modes, a refresh system now, the list goes on..

I know windows 8 is better then windows 7. Especially with the security and performance has increased a lot. Just I was using it the other day on my laptop and just compared it to windows 7 and it just seemed like that but I do know they are both two different OS with there own features

All I seem to read nowadays is 'How to make Windows 8 back into Windows 7' What with replacing the start button and gadgets... Think I will just stick to Windows 7 and then I don't get the problems. Thanks for a great article Chris.

People are allowed to not like Windows 8. A lot of people don't, and it's not just because they want to be "cool". It's an OS designed for touchscreens and mobile devices that Microsoft is trying to force on desktop users. If you don't like the way this site covers it, maybe stop reading?

people are allowed to think windows 8 isn't all that bad. A lot of people like it, and not just because they want to be "edgy". It's an OS designed for a traditional desktop if you can unplug your butthole and relent to a little bit of change. In the end it is just as easy to use as long as you don't try to use it the same way you used windows 98.. "This car sucks! It doesn't even have a place to attach my horses!" If you don't like the way null expressed it, maybe stop reading?

After a month of using Windows 8, I can do everything just as fast and easily as I did on any other version of Windows. Do I have to do some things differently? Yeah. Do I have to make some changes to customize it? Yeah. Do these changes stop me from doing what I want/need to do in order to move on with my life? Yes.